Notes: Von Miller vows Super Bowl win

Broncos’ pass rusher guarantees 2013 crown

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Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos ran for a touchdown after intercepting a pass during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 2, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

Associated Press
March 06, 2013

Von Miller is pulling a Joe Namath and it’s only March.

Denver’s star pass-rusher is already guaranteeing a Super Bowl title for the Broncos next season.

The linebacker later said that when the boy, Jeremiah Clark-Martinez, came out of his coma, he was asked a series of questions to test his memory and among the first things he said was that his cousin, Von Miller, played for the Denver Broncos.

That inspired Miller to make his pledge.

Namath delivered on his guarantee in 1969 for the New York Jets’ only title, but he waited until the eve of the Super Bowl to make his bold promise that the AFL’s Jets would beat Don Shula’s NFL Baltimore Colts.

Welker has disdain for Patriots?

Adding an edge to an intriguing upcoming free agency period, Wes Welker is said to have “mild disdain’’ toward the Patriots for the way he was used at the beginning of the 2012 season, Yahoo! Sports reported, citing a source close to Welker.

The Patriots put the injury-prone Julian Edelman in Welker’s role, saying Edelman was a better blocker and better after the catch. Edelman might have been both, but he didn’t come close to the production of Welker, who started just one of the first four games.

Meanwhile, ProFootballTalk.com said the Patriots have a plan if they can’t re-sign Welker: free agent Danny Amendola, who played the slot for the Rams in ’12, catching 63 passes for 666 yards and 3 touchdowns, although he played only 11 games because of injuries.

Packers’ Jennings set free

The Green Bay Packers declined to use their franchise tag on Greg Jennings, 29, meaning the wide receiver can begin talking to other teams as soon as Saturday and will become an unrestricted free agent next week.

Coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson said last month they'd like to retain Jennings if they could. However, Green Bay is trying to prepare for a potential cap crunch.

In the next few seasons, the Packers will have to re-sign linebacker Clay Matthews, defensive tackle B.J. Raji, and the 2011 league MVP, quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay already released Charles Woodson, the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, and longtime receiver Donald Driver retired last month.

Northern Iowa WR runs 4.19

Northern Iowa wide receiver Terrell Sinkfield ran 4.19 seconds in the 40-yard dash at a pro day at the University of Minnesota on Monday, FoxSports reported.

If accurate, the time would best the NFL Scouting Combine’s record of 4.24 held by Titans running back Chris Johnson.

Sinkfield ran three 40-yard dashes, although Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell didn’t have him under 4.3.

Lights out for Merriman

The three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year said on his website he intends to file retirement papers.

The decision comes a week before the 28-year-old Merriman was eligible to become a free agent after spending parts of the past three seasons in Buffalo. That included last year, when he was cut by the Bills in August only to be re-signed in October.

Merriman became an instant NFL star after being selected by San Diego 12th overall in the 2005 draft.

Totalling 39½ sacks in his first three seasons with the Chargers, Merriman earned the nickname ‘‘Lights Out’’ as one of the league’s fiercest pass rushers.

Fitzpatrick future in limbo

Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s future remains in limbo, general manager Buddy Nix said. Nix also said the Bills haven’t ruled out attempting to re-sign guard Andy Levitre before free agency opens next week . . . The Vikings released veteran receiver Michael Jenkins, clearing $3.25 million of space under the salary cap. Jenkins played two seasons of the three-year contract he signed with the Vikings after the lockout ended in 2011 . . . The Falcons signed running back Antone Smith to a two-year contract extension. Smith has only one carry in three seasons.
The Falcons cut leading rusher Michael Turner last week . . . The Eagles signed quarterback G.J. Kinne to a two-year contract . . . The Browns changed Mike Lombardi’s title to general manager. Lombardi was named the club’s vice president of player personnel on Jan. 18.